Kodachrome Basin State Park

We stopped in Panguitch, Utah on our trek north and took a side trip over the Kodachrome Basin State Park. It is about 45 miles to the east from Panguitch and past Bryce National Park.

How did Kodachrome Basin get its name? - We were out hiking in Kodachrome Basin State Park and stopped to chat with a young fellow who appeared to be about 28-30 years old. He stated that this is a beautiful place, a comment with which we agree. I said we had been here about 26 years ago and at that time we used Kodachrome slide film to take pictures, the film for which the Basin was named. He looked puzzled and asked what that was all about? I explained the Kodak Corporation and the film that was used for pictures and slides before digital. He said "Oh, I wondered where the odd name "Kodachrome" came from.

Ah the young and the digital.

This was an image taken from the vehicle as we passed through a canyon heading east. There was a fair amount of snow at the higher elevations. On the road over you traverse a pass marked by an elevation sign indicating 7,777 feet. There was a fair amount of snow in that area. We did drop down as we got further east and there was no snow in Kodachrome.

One of the first things you see in the Basin is the large red sandstone cliffs. They are quite beautiful and truly majestic. You enter the park and there are a couple of roads that take you to the various sights and scenery. There are also campgrounds in the park, some with full hookups, some partial hookups and some dry camping. We could easily see how this park could get really crowded in the summer.

There is much more than just red sandstone. The spire in the center of the image, amidst the junipers and sandstone was apparently made of harder rock and resisted the weathering and erosion.

Here is another larger spire that stands very high. The longer term forces of erosion have made a huge number of visible impacts throughout the basin.

This image shows an interesting collection of spires and sandstone formations. There are lot of rock layers and various forces of erosion at work here.

This is a closer examination of the previous image. Erosion has left the cap on the spire and again we can see the contrasting rocks.

About in the center of the basin you will see this laundromat. There is a bunk house and some showers associated with this facility. The campers do need to keep their clothes clean and somehow the term “Red Dirt Wash and Dry” seems very appropriate for this location.

As we headed out to a formation named Chimney Rock we saw this large rock outcropping that was highlighted in the sun. The hoodoos of Bryce are visible in the distance.

We decided to take the boys on a hike to Shakespeare Arch. It is down a road to the east and not located directly in the basin but certainly nearby. This is an image of the well-worn dirt trail that takes you to the arch.

This is a view of the incredible scenery that is visible everywhere. There are also a lot of old gnarly juniper trees along the trail. It is fascinating country  

Here is Deanna and the boys along the trail. It was smooth soft dirt all the way. We checked, you were allowed to take the bays anywhere in the State Park. That has not been the case in other Utah State Parks. Good exercise for them.

Here is the arch. It is in the upper left corner of the image and kind of hides. It is not nearly as dramatic as most of the formations in Arches National Park but it is an arch nonetheless.

These formations almost look as if they are melted. The forces of erosion are hard at work here.

This is just another look at the hoodoos of Bryce. It is a ways off but still clearly visible.

We are driving back now and saw this fascinating contrast of structures and formations. This was almost to Canyonville which appeared to be the nearest town to Kodachrome Basin. It certainly was not a big town but located in fascinating country.

We hope you enjoyed a brief look around Kodachrome Basin State Park. It is a wonderful place and our few meager images do not do it justice. If you are in Utah looking at Bryce NP or any of the other many Parks found there, be sure and stop by Kodachrome Basin for a look around, it is definitely worth your time and effort.

As always let us know if you have any questions orcomments. All the best - George & Deanna